When I took this case to the OA as part of solving the riddle for Mr. Hodges, we also asked for beach cat inclusion. There was misunderstanding between DPN scoring and PHRF scoring by the OA, who is always in the right. They had not made provisions at Southern for the sudden inclusion.
Bert,
You are not the GYA Multihull Council chairman. You are the secretary and when I had concerns about the safety equipment requirements for the GtoP race being excessive for the PHRF multihulls, I took my concerns to David Johnson who is the chairman. I asked him to address those concerns on my behalf as I felt that was the proper channel to go through. Unfortunately from my perspective, you created the "riddle" as your e-mails to the OA indicated that I needed to grow up and move on based on your belief that I needed to have my crew tethered to jacklines with each having their own EPIRB or PLB worn at all times. I ended up contacting the OA directly to get this resolved. He admitted to me that they had not even read the recommendations and had just checked off all the boxes without understanding the application of the guidelines. I will follow up with the OA to summarize how I think the GYA multihull safety recommendations should be applied (not mandated) for this event for PHRF multihulls. I also believe there needs to be a clear distinction between what the race organizers anticipated as a multihull class. It will be my recommendation to the OA that PHRF rated multihulls be defined as those over 20' in length with a permanent cabin for the shelter of the crew if needed and auxiliary power.
I am in no way opposed to beach cats sailing under a DPN handicap participating in this event but I believe a formal proposal to the OA on how that can be done needs to come from David Johnson. I would ask that you stand down and act only in an advisory role to David unless he asks you otherwise.
Respectfully Yours,
Bob Hodges
